Declaration of War against the U.S.? Actually it was the second one. And why are some people not getting serious about this today? I realize Bin laden hasn't been caught but that isn't my question.
2007-09-16 09:14:21 · 7 answers · asked by Brianne 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
In light of all the events in the post-9/11 world, it becomes incredulous to us that the warnings and threats issued by al Qaeda went ignored. Or did they?
In 1996, Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawhiri issued a fatwa (declaration) that stated there now existed a state of war between the Muslim ummah (community) of the mujahadin and America. A list of grievances were given (US presence in the Arabian peninsula, our support of Israel, our support of secular Arab regimes, our obsession with their oil, and our 'intrusive culture'). This was followed two years later by another fatwa, which was a condensed version of the 1996 one, but included the complaint of the continued oppression of the Iraqi people.
It is a common opinion nowadays, that these fatwas were ignored. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, testimony by the CIA and FBI directors, and journalistic write ups, these declarations were common knowledge amongst the intelligence community (IC), but the evaluation of al Qaeda's ability to carry out its threats were consistently downplayed.
There is another reason for this ignorance. According to the research and expertise of terrorist/Mideast scholar Walid Phares, our educational system was purposely infiltrated by Saudi-financed Islamic extremists (Wahabists) who started up Mideast Studies groups and programs. Students of these programs were taught with Saudi financed and published textbooks that hid the true meaning of jihad, Wahabism, and true Qu'ranic interpretations. These students than graduated and were either hired by our government or as teachers. The virus invaded the host completely. By putting a 'soft spin' on what their religion was calling them to do, the Islamic radicals succeeded in blinding us to the coming storm.
It is true that some people still do not take these threats seriously. I believe it is because of the polemicy of their political ideology, personal disavowal and disgust with war, and a ignorant belief in the value of cultural relativism. It may even be that some people simply cannot believe that people hate them and want to kill them.
Currently, we are ignoring a far more potentially deadly threat. Former FBI consultant and humanities professor, Paul L. Williams has written a book entitled "The Day of Islam". In it, Williams claims that al Qaeda is pursuing nuclear devices to carry out a plan dubbed "American Hiroshima". In this scheme, 7 US cities will be attacked simultaneously by nuclear weapons (most likely within the next 3 to five years). There is alot of circumstantial evidence and there does appear to be more corroborative evidence that this may be underway. How much have you heard about this?
2007-09-16 09:45:31 · answer #1 · answered by CHRISTOPHER K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You ignore that Bush and Sharon are Elected leaders of their usa's, Bin weighted down isn't, and wages conflict by ability of terrorism on usa's...extensive distinction, so which you total premise is erroneous!
2016-11-14 14:59:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm just as perplexed as you. I listened to at least five international shortwave broadcasters deal with the fatwa on their English language programs at the time. I waited to see what our reaction would be in the U.S. government. I guess both the Executive and our Legislative Branch (on both sides of the aisle) thought it was a re-make of the movie "The Mouse That Roared".
2007-09-16 11:28:12 · answer #3 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many in the govt. did take it seriously. But slick Willy didn't want to place his legacy in potential jeopardy by actually doing anything not absolutely necessary. Why get embroiled with some terrorist just because he kills Americans? The media wasn't upset. The rest of the left weren't upset. So we'll just leave well enough alone. Welcome to the self-serving attitude which led to 9/11.
2007-09-16 09:39:25 · answer #4 · answered by bucksbowlbound 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bill Clinton said he did take it seriously, they actually tried to get him earlier, they just couldnt find him. They did everything short of declaring war, which Bush finally did.
2007-09-16 09:23:52 · answer #5 · answered by Nemo the geek 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because it would be absurd to target every group that " signs " a declaration of war , its not like there missles were about to be launched .
2007-09-16 09:23:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The usual American arrogance.
It kind of reminds me of Pearl Harbor. Half the planet knew it was coming but it was ignored. They wouldn't dare attack America
2007-09-16 09:31:31 · answer #7 · answered by Ferret 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋